...Thirty years ago this month researchers at the University of Illinois...To mark the anniversary of this discovery the university is holding a...In 1977 microbiology professor Carl Woese led the team that identifie...Woese had set out to map the evolutionary history of life by comparing...

Thirty years ago this month, researchers at the University of Illinois published a discovery that challenged basic assumptions about the broadest classifications of life. Their discovery which was based on an analysis of ribosomal RNA, an ancient molecule essential to the replication of all cells opened up a new field of study, and established a first draft of the evolutionary tree of life.

To mark the anniversary of this discovery, the university is holding a symposium Nov. 3-4 (Saturday-Sunday), with a public lecture at the Spurlock Museum on the evening of Nov. 2. Hidden Before Our Eyes: 30 Years of Molecular Phylogeny, Archaea and Evolution will detail the exacting work that led to the discovery of a third domain of life, the microbes now known as the archaea. The event will revisit the program of research that led to the discovery, explore its impact on the study of evolution, and describe the way in which genetic analysis continues to revolutionize biology, in particular microbial ecology.

In 1977, microbiology professor Carl Woese led the team that identified the archaea as a unique domain of life, distinct from bacteria and other organisms. Prior to this finding, generations of evolutionary biologists and microbiologists believed that the microbes now called archaea were simply another taxon among bacteria. They had divided all living organisms into two broad superkingdoms, or domains: the prokaryotes, which included both the true bacteria and archaea; and eukaryotes, including all animals, plants, fungi and protists (a diverse group that includes protozoans, algae, slime molds and other organisms). Some prominent biologists still hold to this classification scheme.

Woese had set out to map the evolutionary history of life by comparing RNA sequences of a molecular sequence common to all living cells: the ribosome, which manufactures a cells proteins.

Each group of organisms contains sets of genetic sequences in their ribosomal RNA that are distinctive. These genetic signatures differentiate the groups. Woeses analysis of a variety of organisms genetic signatures told a story that was different from the conventional wisdom, however.

This surprising discovery came when the researchers looked at the ribosomal RNA (rRNA) of a group of methane-generating microbes that had been classified as bacteria. Illinois microbiology professor Ralph Wolfe, an expert on these methanogens, was a member of Woeses team, along with postdoctoral researcher George Fox, graduate student William Balch and lab technician Linda Magrum.

Of all the numerous suggestions we had gotten for organisms to study, the one I solicited from my colleague, Ralph Wolfe, turned out to be the most important, Woese wrote in an account of the discovery. Ralph was in the process of working out the biochemistry of methanogenesis, which made it natural for him to suggest we characterize the methanogens.

Wolfe was one of only a handful of researchers studying methanogens in the mid-1970s. These organisms were notoriously difficult to grow in culture because they could survive only in an oxygen-free atmosphere that was rich in hydrogen and carbon dioxide. Balch, a graduate student in Wolfes lab, had found a way to create a sealed and pressurized atmosphere inside a test tube that would support these organisms, however. Using this technique, a methanogen now called M. bryantii, was grown in sufficient quantities for study.

Woese had already found a collection of rRNA sequences that were specific to bacteria, and another set of sequences unique to plants, animals and other eukarya. When he sequenced the ribosomal RNA of Wolfes methanogen, however, he found that it was strikingly different from that of eukarya and bacteria. Although it shared some universal sequences with the other organisms, it also carried its own unique set of sequences that did not fit with either group. It was neither fish nor fowl, Woese said.

The scientists were astonished, and quickly turned their attention to other methanogens. The genetic pattern held: The rRNA signatures of the methanogens were distinct from those of eukaryotes and bacteria. Woese concluded that the methanogens were not bacteria.

Wolfe recalled, When Carl said they werent bacteria, I said: Of course they are bacteria! They look like bacteria! They have this prokaryotic morphology and cell structure.

But when Wolfe saw how the sequence data fell into discrete groups, with all the methanogens in a category of their own, I became a believer, he said.

Their findings were published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences in October 1977. The papers three-sentence abstract stated simply that the methanogens constitute a distinct phylogenetic group only distantly related to bacteria.

A second PNAS paper, published the following month by Woese and Fox, outlined the evidence that there were three rather than two superkingdoms, or domains, of life.

There was general amazement and feeling that something great had been discovered among the physical scientists, Woese said.

Many microbiologists and other life scientists were unwilling to accept the new classification scheme, however. They continued to see the archaea as a highly differentiated offshoot of the bacterial line.

In 2003, Woese won the $500,000 Crafoord Prize in Biosciences for his discovery of this third domain of life. The prize, given by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, marks accomplishments in scientific fields not covered by the Nobel Prizes in sciences, which the academy also selects.

Controversy over the work continued, however. Some scientists described the 1977 announcement of a third domain as an achievement comparable to that of the discovery of a new continent. Others discounted the idea as a fantastic hypothesis based on a limited and unreliable pool of data. To this day, many textbooks, dictionaries and other science reference materials include the classical and the Woese classification schemes.

Now 79, Woese continues his work as a member of the Biocomplexity theme at the Institute for Genomic Biology. He works with collaborators in physics, chemistry, geology and microbiology in a continuing exploration of the genomic complexity of biological systems. He worries about what he sees as a general lack of interest in evolution among microbiologists and other life scientists. And he hopes that a new generation of scientists will make full use of the genomic tools that he believes could revolutionize the study of the origins and evolution of life.

(Date:3/29/2017)... the health IT company that operates the largest health ... today announced a Series B investment from BlueCross BlueShield ... investment and acquisition accelerates higi,s strategy to create the ... activities through the collection and workflow integration of ambient ... secures data today on behalf of over 36 million ...

(Date:3/24/2017)... , Mar 24, 2017 Research and ... Access System Market Analysis & Trends - Industry Forecast to 2025" ... ... to grow at a CAGR of around 15.1% over the next ... This industry report analyzes the market estimates and forecasts for all ...

(Date:8/15/2017)... ... 15, 2017 , ... Nanomedical Diagnostics , a cutting-edge ... the launch of the new NHS Agile biosensor chip . The new ... a wide range of molecules, including small and large molecules, peptides, proteins, and ...

(Date:8/15/2017)... ... August 15, 2017 , ... Coffea arabica ... biotic and abiotic factors. During this educational webinar, participants will learn about the ... as gain a better understanding of how genomics is important for coffee breeding ...

(Date:8/10/2017)... Philadelphia, PA (PRWEB) , ... August 09, 2017 ... ... back to the classroom next week-- as students. From August 14th through the ... Institute. The institute, which debuted in the summer of 2016, provides Philadelphia-based middle ...